When you think of California, your mind probably jumps straight to the Golden Gate Bridge, Hollywood, or even Disneyland. And while these are some of the state’s biggest landmarks, there is so much more to this area. In fact, California has a rich history when it comes to casinos and gambling, and the industry has evolved drastically throughout the years. new online pokies no deposit bonus
While it may not be Las Vegas or Atlantic City, there is actually a vast number of options when it comes to gambling in California. So whether you want to visit one of its popular Indian Casinos or head to a California online casino real money, you can no doubt find a great way to have fun.
Ready to find out more? Keep reading to discover the entire evolution of the casino industry in the state of California
Back to the beginning
Gambling has become many people’s favorite pastime in this current century, but it actually dates back to the 19th century and the Wild West. The mining industry was at its peak during this time, and there was a gold rush, meaning more people moved to this area. People were looking to better their lives by getting their hands on riches, which was a thrill in itself.
The excitement of the possibility of discovering treasures and gold that could change their lives for the better led to an increase in gambling. When people got to the Wild West and didn’t get the gold they dreamed of, they turned to other ways they could make a quick buck to take home to their families.
Poker was the main form of gambling that people were getting involved in, leading to people opening several specialized clubs. That’s when the two big centers in San Franciso and Sonoma County were established, and they became a way to add more financial gains to the area, which was once depressed. Los Angeles is another well renown city that dates back to 1850
At the same time, the native Indians were looking for ways to develop more jobs within their culture and to avoid getting caught up in the main forms of crime in America. They saw an opportunity when it came to gambling, and that’s when the now-popular Indian casinos started to open.
The popularity of Indian casinos
Indian casinos started to take over California as early as the 1970s, with the first few beginning to pop up over the state. As more native Indians started to see how popular these casinos were getting, the Oneida tribe set up a bingo club that offered massive prize amounts which were way higher than what was legal in New York.
Although there were restrictions in place by law that stated they could not offer prize bets this high, the Indians only wanted to follow their own rules and therefore ignored what the government was telling them. More and more clubs and casinos started to open up, but since they were not following any regulations, things began to get out of control.
People started to see the need for control over these Indian casinos, and therefore in the 1980s, the California gambling control commission was set up. At first, the district tried to shut down all forms of gambling in the area, but the Indians fought back. There were a lot of disputes over what would be allowed in terms of Indian casinos, and it didn’t look promising for a while.
However, the Indians persevered, and in 1988, Ronald Reagan signed the Tribal Casinos Act, which meant that Indian gambling could not be banned.
The journey to legal gambling
Although Indian casinos were eventually allowed after many disputes and arguments, they were not the only forms of gambling that had to fight for the right to be legal. In fact, gambling was only first looked at for legalization in 1984 when the Gambling Registration Act was released. This act said that California’s attorney’s office had to regulate card rooms, even if just a little bit.
Not too many restrictions were put in place, but in 1997, even more regulations were put in place for the Californian gambling industry when the Gambling Control Act was issued. It meant that things such as Indian casinos, card clubs, horse race betting, and the lottery were now completely legal, but there were some restrictions too.
There are still a few types of illegal gambling in California, such as roulette, monte, fan-tan, and more. However, with more states throughout the USA legalizing gambling, there is no doubt California will only grow in this market, meaning more liberal acts being put in place.
Online gambling
Although there are no laws in California that directly state that you cannot engage in online gambling via online casinos and betting sites, laws prohibit any state residents from owning and running a gambling site within its jurisdiction. The state prohibits the release of online poker, sportsbooks, and gambling within its borders, but it can still set up sites that allow horse race betting, fantasy sports, and sweepstakes.
So, although there aren’t any legal online casinos that are operated from the state of California, you are still able to access some of the amazing sites when you are residing there. As long as they are licensed from another state or country, you can play your favorite table games and slots whenever you want. None of these sites are regulated in California; therefore, you have much freedom when depositing and winning real money.
Final thoughts
Unlike many other states, the history and evolution of the Californian gambling industry are very interesting. Going all the way back to the 19th century and the growth of Indian casinos makes visiting one of their legal locations a time to remember. If you’re ever in California, you should head to a native casino and see how they differ from other states, such as Las Vegas and Atlantic City. It is truly a rich experience you won’t get anywhere else.
